Irish League legend 'Winkie' Murphy to retire

41-year-old set to call an end to trophy-laden career

Legendary Irish League central defender William 'Winkie' Murphy is set to announce his retirement from the game following a glittering career.

The 41-year-old has demonstrated incredible longevity throughout his playing career which has spanned just shy of 25 years.

The Belfast-native began his career with Carrick Rangers before moving to Ards in 1992, where he spent five successful years and it was here that he played alongside David Jeffrey, who brought him to Windsor Park as one of his first signings.

Winkie had been mainly deployed as a left-back at his first two clubs, but Jeffrey envisaged him as a towering centre-half and Murphy quickly cemented a place in the heart of the Linfield defence. He would make a grand total of 639 first-team appearances for Linfield, many alongside the legendary Noel Bailie, with whom he formed a formidable partnership.

Murphy eventually left the Blues in the summer of 2013 and was snapped up by Gary Hamilton at Glenavon. He savoured an Irish Cup success in his debut season at the club – the 8th of his career – and helped guide the Lurgan Blues to 3rd spot this season which guarantees them European football.

Many players will look back at the career in terms of what they have achieved and what medals they've won, and Murphy will have no regrets with his nine league winners medals. Murphy's will play his last match on Saturday, as Glenavon finish their season away to champions Crusaders.